"The way our defense was getting nicked up and sustaining some injuries, we knew we might have to score in the high 20s or 30s to win,'' Philbin said in the aftermath of Green Bay's 31-25 Super Bowl win over Pittsburgh.

"If we'd been healthy on defense, and leading 21-3, we might have gone more to the run. But we knew we'd probably have to score some more points.

"We didn't play very well in the third quarter, but (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers and the guys made some big plays in the fourth.''

The Super Bowl victory was a crowning moment for Philbin, a Packers assistant coach for eight years, the last four as offensive coordinator. Even after Green Bay built an 18-point lead, plans to balance the run and pass were adjusted as the Packers' defense became vulnerable.

Defensive backs Charles Woodson and Sam Shields were injured. Woodson broke his collarbone and did not returm.

Safety Nick Collins also went to the locker room before halftime, but appeared to be OK.

The Steelers scored in the last minute of the second quarter, closing the gap to 21-10. After a ragged, penalty-filled Packers offensive series opened the third quarter, Pittsburgh scored again to make it 21-17.

Needing to keep their feet pressed to the pedal, the Packers' offense ran 42 pass plays to 13 on the ground. Three of the running plays were simply to kill time at the end of the second and fourth quarters.

In the 55-yard drive that ended with Greg Jennings' eight-yard TD catch, restoring Green Bay's lead to 28-17 in the fourth quarter, all eight plays were pass-oriented.

Philbin said it was the injuries to Green Bay's defense, rather than the presence of Pittsburgh's vaunted run defense, that caused the Packers to stick to the air. They did so even after losing receiver Donald Driver to injury.

The Packers returned to Green Bay Monday, where Philbin said a large crowd greeted the team at the airport.